Eddie is a martial artist who is a frequent visitor to the Bay Area. His father, Robert Frager, has appeared previously in my columns. Eddie is the founder and Chief Instructor of Bridgetown Aikido, located in Portland, OR.
In the 1990’s he had the wonderful opportunity to become a student of one of the pillars of Aikido, Hiroshi Kato Sensei (8th dan). He traveled to Japan to study there with this teacher where he took his black belt examination.
I asked Eddie about his life as the son of one of the premier American Aikidoists. He replied, “Some of my strongest memories of my Dad and Aikido are of when we would be alone on a car trip, just he and I, with hours to talk. Often, at my urging, the topic of Aikido and O'Sensei would come up. I never tired of hearing about my father training in Japan in the ‘old days’, what O'Sensei was really like, and how we could incorporate his ideals for Aikido on and off the mat.
“One of my favorite stories was of the time my dad had a cab ride alone with O'Sensei - a rare opportunity. He knew this might be one of his only chances to ask whatever question he would like. What he came up with, ‘What should the attitude of Nage (the person performing the technique) be toward Uke (the person taking the falls)?’ O'Sensei answered that it should be like that of a parent toward a child. I often think back to that, when I get frustrated with a training partner or myself. To be able to drop one's ego and be a good partner is extremely difficult, yet something that I strive for every time I get on the mat.
“It is funny, 30 years later, I still do not get tired of hearing those stories of O'Sensei. It is of great importance to me to keep a clear link to the foundations of Aikido, through my father and through Kato Sensei. In the vast ocean of what O'Sensei left for us, I figure if I can get a thimbleful than I am doing a great job.”
I then asked Eddie what impact this had on his life. He wrote, “When I was young, many visiting instructors came from Japan. At that time, it was mostly folks from Shingu, and they would usually stay at our house. What really struck me was the feeling of family -- all of these people would come from half way around the world and were virtual strangers to all of us Americans, yet on the mat, everyone was treated with kindness and respect.”
I also inquired about what Aikido means to him personally, what is his interpretation of the Art. He replied, “Aikido is, at it's base a physical art, and as a young man the physical side was most important to me. The physical side of the artis still very important to me - when I teach we do 5 minutes of warm-ups and 55 minutes of Aikido, with very little talking. However, just as importantly, Aikido is also about how one moves through the world, how one deals with personal relationships and community.
“After opening Bridgetown Aikido, it has never been more clear to me how important a healthy community is. One of the truest essences of Aikido is bringing people together and working cooperatively to become better human beings. This is why after all of these years, I still look forward to Aikido everyday.”
Eddie wrote that his oldest two sons "are at the dojo every week." It sounds like a family tradition is continuing! And for me personally, I’m looking forward to training with Eddie when he comes down to visit next time.
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